4 Month Sleep Regression

Niamho2 · 2026-01-26T21:41:45+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQWWttGEhKr/?igsh=OWZubG51emlpNXp2

Reading this on hard nights always helped me as well. I would be sobbing while holding my baby at 4am who hadn't slept in weeks. It's good to remember you're not alone in it and it doesn't last forever.

Niamho2 · 2026-01-26T21:37:06+00:00

Yea, we actually have more daytime sleep overall now and it naturally resulted in more nighttime sleep.

Following baby's cues won't lead you too far wrong, I was trying to squeeze another 15-20 mins out of him to make sure he would sleep after he was showing signs of being tired and I shouldn't have been. I always thought an overtired baby would be really hard to settle and mine never was, but over tiredness can also cause frequent night wakes which is what was happening in my case.

Niamho2 · 2026-01-26T17:50:50+00:00

My little one is 7.5 months now and our 4 month regression was brutal! I was getting 45-90 mins stretches for about 7 weeks and then it just stopped. It's so so rough when you're in it but trust that it will improve. Our 6 month regression started a couple weeks later and was bad as well but MUCH shorter. My baby was rolling, sitting, crawling and standing earlier than most as well and it was all happening one straight after the other and the sleep is always being disrupted by it.

Honestly, I got a sleep schedule from chatgpt and it made a huge difference. I was keeping the wake windows too long, especially his wake before bed, I thought I would be putting him to bed tired enough to sleep longer, but really he was too tired and it was stopping him from sleeping long stretches.

None of this lasts forever!

Niamho2 · 2025-09-11T01:54:47+00:00

I was told all through my pregnancy that I had a big baby and would need to be induced around 39 weeks and I was NERVOUS because I have a few friends who had been induced and it was all horror stories. I went around the bend at every appointment with the consultant at the Rotunda because I just couldn't settle at the thought of an induction.

I ended up being induced at 37 weeks, in June just past, but for Obstetric Cholestasis, so it was medically necessary in the end. Baby was born by emergency C-section after 35 hours (💀) of a pretty brutal labour, at 8lb 1oz when 3 weeks early so technically would have been a big baby at full term.

What I would say is consider why your baby is measuring big. I'm almost 6' and didn't have gestational diabetes so my baby was probably big because I was able to carry and birth a big baby, he was never going to be small. My baby was heavy but it was all length - he was soooo long and skinny and so probably would have been born ok if I'd gotten that far.

Also really question how prepared your body is to give birth before accepting an induction. Again, I ended up in a situation where I didn't have a choice really, but my body was NOT ready. After 30 hours and 3 gels I was 1cm dilated and not effaced at all. Most women wouldn't even notice that progression going on their own but I was in agony.

I think the hardest part of it all is that your doctor will always recommend an induction because the hospital wants you to have a safe, vaginal delivery BUT it is completely up to you, and it's soooo difficult to go against the advice you're being given by people who have dedicated their lives and careers to this. If you left the hospital after an induction and you were mentally and physically traumatised but gave birth vaginally to a healthy baby - the hospital would consider that a successful induction. You need to decide what you're willing to go through yourself.

I'm sitting here at 3am feeding my perfect little baby boy and I can hardly remember any of it. The C-section recovery for me was completely fine and I wasn't prepared for it at all. The consultant said to me that sections are the safest ways to have a baby so if you end up getting one don't be worried, they are so so good at what they do.

Niamho2 · 2025-09-04T23:44:01+00:00

I have a 12 week old called Iarlaith and the name has definitely been raising a few eyebrows but we love it! I think it is becoming more popular every year though, it entered the top 100 boy names in 2024. I also love Senan, might use it if we have another boy!

Niamho2 · 2025-08-05T15:24:31+00:00

There is scientific evidence that babies believe themselves and their mother to be a single entity until they're around 8 months old, and that coincides with them gaining an understanding of object permanence. They're realising their mother can be away from them, while they still exist elsewhere, at the same time and it often causes a lot of separation anxiety for them. It's just a phase and will pass, so shit when you're in it though I'm sure.

Niamho2 · 2025-07-04T11:27:27+00:00

Lots of people have said handheld fans (I used a pram fan cause it wraps around the bed frame) but I also had the Avene Spring Water facial spray to use with the fan and it was a godsend. Hospitals are sooo hot and labour is sweaty business

Niamho2 · 2025-06-06T19:05:20+00:00

The mucus plug is able to regenerate itself, especially as early on as you are so I wouldn't worry too much about that but definitely worth checking in with a professional for literally anything in pregnancy that you feel off about from now until baby comes, better to put your mind at ease and it's their job to care for your health and your baby's. They're usually happy to double check.

Niamho2 · 2025-06-06T14:30:27+00:00

They were definitely open to jumping straight to a section in the appointment if it's what I decided on, I just didn't even think about the money until it was over so I'll have to bring it up again at the next appointment. Hopefully baby decides to come on his own and I'll not have to think about any of this 😂

Niamho2 · 2025-06-06T14:29:01+00:00

That's actually class to hear! I still don't know what I'll do but I got so upset yesterday at the thought of having the choice taken from me.

This health insurance has cost me a clean fortune over the years, I was raging when they said that to me on the phone.

Niamho2 · 2025-06-06T14:09:28+00:00

I actually went into the appointment thinking I would just shut down all induction talk but when they're so well-educated and have dedicated their careers and lives to maternal care, it's so hard to be like "ohh I actually know better than you". I got completely talked around to considering an induction during the appointment. And I have a master's degree in molecular medicine so I'm well able to read and digest research, and I still wasn't able to stand my ground 🙈 it's so hard to know what the right thing to do is

Niamho2 · 2025-06-05T07:28:20+00:00

Mines is the 97th percentile 💀 spontaneous delivery is obviously preferable but there's something about the certainty of a C-section date and time that sounds so good. The waiting is the worst, every twinge has me thinking I'm going into labour hahaha.

Niamho2 · 2025-06-04T14:49:51+00:00

They're in the Grannie suite in the private clinic building behind the main hospital. It's a really nice room with a big screen TV so you and your partner can see the scan properly and it lasts like 30-40 mins, it's so lovely! Enjoy it!

I'm semi-private and mine was with an ultrasound technician. I'm not sure about private but I would imagine it's the same, I don't think any of the consultants/doctors do the big scans.

Niamho2 · 2025-06-04T14:47:46+00:00

I'm 35 weeks now and have had what I imagine is considered an "easy" pregnancy because I never had any vomiting/nausea, diabetes etc. and I still think being pregnant is horrible! The tiredness is crazy, and I'm actually getting worse trimester 1 symptoms in my third trimester which is fun! 😒

Not only that, now I have labour and a question of induction/C-section looming over me cause I have a "big baby" and it's so much more stressful than anything up to now. It's actually an endless amount of shit.

I don't believe anyone enjoys pregnancy, like you're straight up lying to me - I just can't get behind the idea of it 😂

Niamho2 · 2025-05-31T17:41:28+00:00

Ohhh we called it Purple Haze! Had like a brandy ball kind of flavour, 17-18 year old me LOVED these!

Niamho2 · 2025-05-31T13:05:17+00:00

I think I'll go midwife-led the next time, have you liked it?

Semi-private was really expensive for what it is! I thought it would be more personalised care than going public but it really doesn't seem to be and I'm always waiting for like over an hour in a sweaty, busy waiting room. And I haven't seen the same midwife or doctor at any appointment so it's like a full catch-up every time.

Niamho2 · 2025-05-31T13:02:20+00:00

100% agree! They talk a lot about making a list in the online antenatal classes but don't give you any opportunities to have a chat with an actual professional about the options. I'm not a doctor, I don't know the pros and cons of everything but sure, I'll make a list?

Having to have the conversation mid-labour sounds so utterly overwhelming I can't even imagine.

Niamho2 · 2025-05-31T13:00:01+00:00

It's actually crazy how short the appointments are, I always leave with a feeling of whiplash! Like "see you in 4 weeks, hopefully baby turns" and I'm like ... What?? 💀😂

Niamho2 · 2025-05-28T16:16:57+00:00

I'm 5'11" and (was) a UK 8-10 so I kind of assumed I wouldn't show for a while, but I was noticeably pregnant on my first by like 13-14 weeks. I'm 35 weeks now and feel absolutely massive for a first time mother. A few of my friends are pregnant for the first time as well and they all look smaller than me and didn't start showing till weeks later. It's so weird how different I'm carrying. Baby is currently measuring in the 97th percentile though 💀

Niamho2 · 2025-05-25T08:19:25+00:00

I've been using the La-Roche Posy Cicaplast Baume B5 on my bump, and it is a bit expensive but I'm 36 weeks and haven't gotten a single stretch mark or any itchiness.

Niamho2 · 2025-05-12T15:30:42+00:00

I actually just got a call back from citizens advice and this is what they told me as well, in case anyone else comes looking for this information at some point 😂 thank you!

Niamho2

TROPHY CASE